Twitter ‘revealed World Cup 2018 hosts before Fifa did’

David Beckham (foreground) and Prince William (background) leave the Zurich hall after the World Cup 2018 announcement (AFP/Getty Images)

Despite the best efforts of rolling news channels to whip up a frenzy of excitement before the announcement, for much of the country the final whistle had already blown.

Up to half an hour before Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed the 2018 competition would be held in Russia, a string of rumours appeared on Twitter, the micro-blogging site, saying England were booted out in the first round.

Moments before Mr Blatter took to the stage in Zurich, the BBC reported that Gary Lineker confirmed England had not been successful.

The Associated Press newswire then reported: ‘Person familiar with decision: England eliminated from race to host the 2018 World Cup.’

And a football reporter tweeted: ‘The suggestion is that England went out at the first hurdle.’

Cameras focused on the prince, who had joined David Beckham and David Cameron for the earlier presentation, and his grim-faced appearance suggested he knew of the disappointment.

Pundit Chris Kamara said: ‘I heard a rumour about half an hour before the decision was made that we hadn’t got it.’

Not surprisingly, the 2022 venue also surfaced on the internet before it too was confirmed.

Later, during a speech to business leaders in central London attended by the Prince of Wales, Mr Cameron praised the efforts of the royal’s son who was ‘inspiring’.

Mr Cameron joked about an exchange he had with the second-in-line to the throne when they met as the royal came out of one of many meetings.

The politician said he asked William ‘How did it go?’ and received the reply ‘It went extremely well: I think we have a pledge.’

‘I said ‘‘What did you offer, was it a ticket to the wedding?’’ He said ‘‘Prime minister, I went so far, I think I offered to marry him.’’’